Australian Chamber-Tourism welcomes Working Holiday Maker program expansion

Australian Chamber – Tourism, the peak body of Australia’s tourism organisations welcomes the expansion of the Working Holiday Maker visa program.

“The Australian Chamber-Tourism has been consistently advocating for the program to be reinvigorated and this announcement is a step in the right direction. Working holidaymakers are integral to our visitor and labour market, but visitation from and visa grants to this key group is in decline,” John Hart, Executive Chair of Australian Chamber-Tourism, said today.

“Working holidaymakers are vital to the growth and sustainability of the local economy, particularly in regional areas where they boost the agriculture and tourism sectors.

“Working holidaymakers spend approximately two and a half times more than they earn and create over 25,000 jobs in the Australian economy.

“The program also delivers enthusiastic and mobile young workers to the regions where labour is most needed and valued.

“Changes to the program include:

Expansion of the maximum eligibility age to 35 years for France.

Commencement of new arrangements with Greece and Ecuador.

Increases in the annual caps for Argentina, Malaysia, Singapore and Portugal from 1 July 2019.

The option of a third working holiday visa for those who complete six months of specified work in their second year.

“These positive changes in the program and Tourism Australia’s Australia Inc marketing campaign, will go a long way in attracting new Working Holiday Makers to Australia from diverse markets who stay longer, spend more and support the local economy.”

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